How much should I budget for a bookkeeper?
Monthly bookkeeping for a small business typically runs $200 to $600 depending on transaction volume and complexity. That covers transaction entry, reconciliation, and basic financial statements. More transactions or more complexity pushes toward the higher end.
Transaction volume is the biggest factor. A business with 30 transactions per month takes less time than one with 300. Every bank account, credit card, and payment processor adds reconciliation work. If you run a business with multiple revenue streams or locations, expect to pay more because the work takes longer.
Industry matters too. Straightforward service businesses cost less to manage than construction companies tracking job costs or veterinary practices handling insurance billing. Working with a Mid-Missouri bookkeeper who understands your industry means getting reports that actually answer your questions about profitability and cash flow.
Basic bookkeeping gets you categorized transactions and reconciled accounts. That’s table stakes. Additional services add to the budget. Payroll typically costs $50 to $150 per run depending on employee count. Sales tax filing might add $50 to $100 monthly. Bill payment and invoicing services add more if you want someone handling the daily movement of money. A full-service relationship covering everything often runs $800 to $1,500 monthly for a small business.
The real budget question is what it costs when you don’t have good books. Cleanup work often costs more than a full year of monthly bookkeeping would have. Tax prep becomes expensive when your accountant has to untangle messy records. And you can’t make informed decisions when you don’t know your actual numbers until months after the fact.
Doing it yourself seems free but it isn’t. The hours add up, and most business owners eventually fall behind. Once you’re three months behind, catching up while running the business feels impossible. At that point you’re paying for cleanup plus ongoing service.
Budget for what you actually need. If you’re running payroll, add that. If you collect sales tax, add that. If your books are currently a mess, factor in cleanup before monthly service can start. The total depends on your situation, but $300 to $500 monthly covers basic bookkeeping for most small businesses in the area.
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